Obituary of Earl Wertheim

Earl "Bud" Wertheim Sculptor, medalist and Renaissance man E. Bud Wertheim, 88, died peacefully at home on June 15, 2015. Bud was the son of Ann (Cohen) and Lew Wertheim. Raised in Far Rockaway, New York, he joined the U.S. Navy after high school to serve in World War II. Educated at the Grand Chaumiere and Montmartre Academies in Paris, he was a Life Member of the Art Students League and a graduate of New York University. Initially known for large abstract sheet metal works, Bud's diverse commissions included residential and commercial spaces from office buildings to synagogues. His work was included in the Empire State Plaza Art Collection and various museums including an appointment as sculptor-in-residence at the Greenville SC Museum Art School. He had recently completed a portrait of Judge Lawrence Cooke which is on permanent exhibit at the Sullivan County (NY) Courthouse. Bud's work evolved into casting in various metals and at the end of his career his designs and commissions were focused on art medals. He received numerous national (AMSA) and international (FIDEM) awards. He taught sculpture at Brooklyn College and retired as Professor Emeritus from SUNY Sullivan. A Charter Member of the Puppetry Guild of N.Y., Bud co-hosted the 1963 Puppeteers of America Convention with Jim Henson and performed at the 1964 World's Fair. His musical interests included crafting his own banjos, harps and other instruments and performing with the Cripple Creek Stump Jumpers, a bluegrass band. As a ham radio enthusiast, Bud was a member of the Sullivan County Amateur Radio Society and an emergency volunteer with RACES (Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services). An avid astronomer, he built his own telescopes and an observatory at his home in upstate Livingston Manor, New York. He created the large articulated trout and Johnny Darling puppets that lead Livingston Manor's Annual Trout Parade, and with his wife Marlene served as the 2014 Parade Grand Marshal. His lifelong love of the ocean was expressed as an accomplished fisherman, and he was a long-term member of the Rotary Club of Livingston Manor, the Catskill Fly Fishing Center, The Catskill Art Society and a supporter of the Shandalee Music Festival and Public Radio WJFF. Bud is survived by his wife of 63 years Marlene, his daughter Sheryl Heather, son Jason Wertheim and wife Kathleen, brother Martin Wertheim, grandchildren Sarah and Ethan Wertheim and many dear nieces, nephew and cousins. The family extends thanks to the Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, Inc. and Dr. David Schwalb of Liberty, NY and his staff. In keeping with Bud's wishes, a memorial celebration will be held later this summer. Memorial donations to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, Inc. would be appreciated (www.hospiceoforange.com). The family is receiving condolence calls at their home on Saturday, June 20, 2015 and Sunday, June 21 from 12:00pm to 6:00pm. Arrangements were under the direction of Colonial-Bryant Funeral Homes and Cremation Services, for further information please call 845-439-4333 or visit www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com.